Pork is one of the best meats to use in a slow cooker.
I'm an experienced food writer and passionate cook. My website, Cookindocs.com, features accessible, informative, and engaging content with quality recipes and articles that are thoroughly researched and enjoyable to read. You can trust my expertise with 8 years of experience in the field. Learn more about me and my work on this website, and check out my featured articles on TastingTable, Mashed, and 5-Minute Crafts. Read more about me HERE.
However, among many cuts of pork, which one works better in this recipe? This post will discuss the tips to choose pork for a slow cooker and the best cuts of pork that you should buy if you are planning to cook it in a slow cooker.
How to choose pork for a slow cooker?
[amazon fields=”B00CSS40LW” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]
[amazon fields=”B00CSS40LW” value=”button”]
Cooking in a slow cooker will save a lot of effort because what you need to do is to choose the right cut of pork and then let the equipment do its job.
So what to keep in mind when choosing the pork for aslow cooker? Here are our tips:
1. Determine what you are going to make to choose a lean or fatty cut of pork
The meat that is cooked in a slow cooker can be used for different dishes.
Therefore, you should determine what dish you are going to make to choose the right cut of pork.
For example, slow-cooked pork can be pulled apart to serve with tacos or burgers, or as the main course.
To make shredded pork, you should opt for a leaner cut, while a fatty cut like pork belly is a common choice for cooking in a slow cooker in Asian cuisine.
2. Select a fresh cut of pork with bright color and slightly sticky texture when touched
You should also use a fresh cut of pork so that your dish will taste better.
A fresh cut of pork is a cut that has a bright pink color with a slightly sticky texture when touched.
A stale cut of pork often looks dull and might have a weird smell, or even worse, some dark or grey spots on the surface of the cut.
Best pork for slow cooker
If you are wondering what cut of pork is perfect for a slow cooker, take a closer look at the following suggestions from us:
1. Pork shoulder
[amazon fields=”B0974HB7RW” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]
[amazon fields=”B0974HB7RW” value=”button”]
Pork shoulder is a great choice for slow-cooking recipes.
It has a moderately tender texture with a perfect marbling fat content, which provides the cut with a flavorful taste.
Pork shoulder is also an economical cut of pork that most people can afford.
Slow-cooked pork shoulder can be served as the main dish or used to make pulled pork for tacos, burgers.
2. Pork butt
[amazon fields=”B0787Y62CJ” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]
[amazon fields=”B0787Y62CJ” value=”button”]
If you cannot find a pork shoulder cut, choose a pork butt instead.
A pork butt cut, also known as Boston butt, is a cut from the upper shoulder of the pig instead of the pig’s butt.
It shares the same texture and flavor as the pork shoulder and is also very affordable.
Pork butt cooked in a slow cooker can work as an ingredient for other dishes like tacos, burgers, or burritos when pulled apart, or the main dish with other sides like mashed potatoes or salads.
3. Pork loin
[amazon fields=”B07HM1KJPT” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]
[amazon fields=”B07HM1KJPT” value=”button”]
Pork loin is another option for cooking in a slow cooker.
Although it is a lean cut with very little fat, when slow-cooked for hours, the pork loin can be very tender and can melt in your mouth.
This cut is also great to add to your diet if you want to cut down the fat intake and lose some weight.
4. Pork belly
[amazon fields=”B07SDQBNY7″ value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]
[amazon fields=”B07SDQBNY7″ value=”button”]
In case you want something fattier with more flavors, pork belly can be a great candidate for a slow cooker.
It is often braised with soy sauce and other spices for hours in a slow cooker until the meat and fat can melt in your mouth and all the flavors can penetrate into the meat.
This dish is especially popular in Asian cuisine and pairs well with steamed white rice.
The bottom line
There are different cuts of pork on the market that can be used in a slow cooker without any fuss.
The best cut in your opinion will depend on your preference, what dish you are going to make, and what other ingredients are added to your dish.
If you find this article useful in helping you choose the best cut of pork for a slow cooker recipe, don’t forget to share it with your loved ones.
